Adz



F. A. HOLMES.

ADZ.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, 1922.

. Patented Sept 5, 1922.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922..

stares rat-enr- ADZ.

Application filed April 7,-

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, FRED A. HoLMns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Belfast, in the county of lValdo and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adzes; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in coopers adzes and the object of my inven tion is to provide a novel adz which the cooper may turn on either side, and drive a metal hoop down flush with the end of the barrel, or cask, without damage to the hoop or injury to the stave. Another essential novel feature of my invention is the provi sion of an adz with broad flat sides formed by the flanges, which enables me to provide a light adz which can be readily used with one hand. A coopers adz should only weigh from two to four pounds complete with handle, and if made solid is too heavy. Heretofore it has been necessary for the cooper to use some additional tool with the necessary fiat surface to do the same work, resulting in loss of time; but by using my improved adz the hoop may be driven in place without the use of extra tools, and without breaking or otherwise injuring the thin metal hoop.

The ordinary coopers adz can not be used to drive down the hoops as the hoops on a barrel are made of thin soft material, and when driven down with the ordinary adz having only a small surface to strike with, the edge of the hoop will be marred and fre quently broken, as the ordinary coopers adz has no flat surface on its sides as set forth in my invention. 7

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated an adz embodying my invention, and I will explain the same with reference to said drawings, and summarize in the claim, the invention for which protection is desired.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my novel adz.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the adz.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2.

The adz is preferably formed of a single piece of metal comprising a body 1, head 1 1922. Serial in. 550,351;

socket'l p As shown in Figs. land 2, body 1 comprises the body of the *adzpand has a substantially flat upper portion adjacentthe head 1 the lower portion of said body-being. curved as shown in the drawings on a relatively large radius, and terminating in the cutting blade 1, in the usual manner.

FRED A. HOLMES, oi". nntrasr, arian,

At the upper end of body 1, is a head 1 which projects inwardly from the body 1' and is formed integral therewith, its top surface being substantially perpendicular tothe body, forming a flat hammer surface. This head 1 may be of any desired width and thickness.

At either side of body 1 are formed inwardly projecting flanges 1 as shown in Fig, 3, whose outer surfaces are perpendicular to the outer surface of the body; said flanges 1 extending from the head 1, terminating with, and fairing into the curved lower portion of body 1, adjacent the cutting blade 1 thereof, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2.

Intermediate the head 1 and cutting blade 1, and extending between the flanges 1 is a cross-bar 1 from which projects a handle socket 1 formed integral with the body 1, said cross bar 1 connecting the flanges 1 and reinforcing the same. The socket 1 has a slightly conical bore 1 to receive a suitable handle (not shown) for the adz, which handle may be secured in the bore 1, in any suitable manner.

The body 1 is preferably tapered from head 1 to the cutting edge 1, the latter being greater in width than the head 1*; and the cutting edge is sharpened in. the usual manner.

Mynovel adz can be used as an ordinary adz for cutting and hammering, but in addition, the cooper may turn the adz on either side, and drive the hoops down, flush with the end of the barrel, with either fiat surface thereof, formed by the flanges 1", without damage to the hoop or injury to the staves, and without having to employ any other tool, thereby saving time and, tools.

Barrel hoops are generally made of thin material so that they canbend around the barrel without breaking. But if the hoops are driven down with the ordinaryadz having a small hammering surface (like 1*), the hoops are frequently broken. But with my improved adz the hoops may be quickly and readily driven in place by the broad,

flat surfaces 1 without injury to the hoops or marring of the barrel.

The ordinary coopers adz has no flat surface on its sides, and the hoops have to be driven with the face of the hammer ends having a 19; or inch surface, which surface is made to strike the driver with, and not to drive the hoop direct. But with my novel adz with the broad flat driving sur faces provided by the flanged portions 1 the cooper can turn the ads sideways and drive the hoops on the barrel without having to use the driver, and without danger of breaking the hoops or the barrel, and thus, in practical use, the invention has resulted in great saving in the loss by breakage of hoops, and in facilitating the making of barrels.

I claim:

A coopers adz, comprising a body having a hammer head at one end and a curved cutting blade at its lower end, and flanges on each side connecting the head with the blade, the outer surfaces of said flanges being flush with the side edges of the body, a cross bar connecting the flanges adjacent the midpoint of said body having a socket to receive the handle, all formed integral, sub stantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I aflix my signature.

FRED A. HOLMES. 

